Yes, You Can Send Your Teen to Camp! FROM BEING A CAMPER TO A COUNSELOR IN TRAINING, THESE OPTIONS GO BEYOND TRADITIONAL CAMPS By KAREN B. GIBBS
ids don’t have to outgrow camp when they become teenagers. There’s a world of creative fun and growth awaiting them. Here’s a sample of some of the diverse summer camp options available for teens this year:
EXPANDED CAMP OPPORTUNITIES FOR TEENS YMCA of the Pines/Lake Stockwell Day Camp offers a co-ed Explorers program for rising 7th t0 10th graders where teens choose daily activities. “This fosters independence, confidence and enhances decision-making skills,” says Lynn Passarella, camp director. Weekly field trips and life skills tracks like vehicle maintenance and basic cooking add to the experience.
CIT, COUNSELOR AND LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS In New Jersey, teens can work at a day camp starting at 16, as a junior counselor at an overnight camp at 17 and as an overnight cabin counselor at 18. Camp opportunities are hard to beat— they help young adults hone their leadership skills, collaborate as part of a team and develop life-long friendships (not to mention a killer work ethic). For teens looking to make a difference, serve as a role model and impact the lives of young campers in a positive, meaningful way, working at a camp is a powerful, life-changing experience. Camps provide orientations for new hires; training is typically 2-3 days long for day camps and 7-10 days for sleepaways but varies by camp. Not every counselor requires first aid or CPR certification but waterfront positions require CPR, first aid and lifeguarding
80
certification, which are offered by the Red Cross. Teens younger than 18 need working papers in New Jersey. Specific requirements are outlined during the job application process. Open camp positions can be found on a camp’s website or at acanynj. org or indeed.com. Most applications can be completed online. There are four general areas of opportunity for teens at camps: waterfront (lifeguards and swimming instructors), group counselors, specialized activities instructors and kitchen/administrative staff. Many sleepaway camps employ teenagers for kitchen positions. Day camps also hire teenaged staff for maintenance or administrative tasks. Jeff Lake Day Camp in Sussex County offers a Senior Campers program for rising 9th graders that includes four outings plus kayaking, canoeing, ninja warrior course on the lake, color wars and boot camp. “These activities challenge teens cognitively and physically, develop teamwork and resiliency, and promote social development,” says Director Susan Rynar. Jeff Lake Day Camp also offers a Counselor in Training program (CIT) for rising 10th graders and a Junior Counselor program (a paid position) for rising 11th graders. Both jobs teach responsibility, creativity, social development, teamwork and how to think on your feet. Teens choose between working with a bunk or with a specialty like rope climbing. “This is a big growth year for the kids,” says Rynar. “It’s the first time many have been asked to take care of someone else’s needs before their own. In doing this, they learn cooperation, independence, social skills, empathy and resiliency. All that allows them to venture
NJFAMILY.COM | BIG BOOK OF CAMPS 2022
